STEVE BRUCE believes his former club Sunderland should be in serious trouble after it emerged the Black Cats were fined for fielding Ji Dong-won in four Premier League games for which he was technically ineligible.

Sunderland were fined a six-figure sum in December after making the Premier League aware that they did not have international clearance for the striker.

Ji, who was signed by Bruce when he was Sunderland manager in the summer of 2011, appeared as a substitute against Fulham, Southampton and Manchester United, and from the start at Crystal Palace.

Bruce's Hull are yet to secure their top-flight status, while Sunderland, with eight matches remaining in their season, remain rooted in the relegation zone.

FINE: Sunderland have been fined a six-figure sum for fielding Ji despite him technically being ineligible [GETTY]

“They should be in serious trouble, I would have thought”

Hull City manager Steve Bruce

And, with maybe one eye on the propsects of a potential rival, the Hull boss feels the north-east club should face serious consequences.

"That's pretty bizarre stuff that it's only surfaced now and he's played in four games," Bruce said.

"They should be in serious trouble, I would have thought."

Asked if he would expect a club fielding an ineligible player to be handed a points deduction, Bruce replied: "It's the first I have heard of it and it will be interesting, I would have thought so though."